NBA Star Opens Up to Stephen Colbert About the Scripture He Wears on His Shoes and How God Inspires Him On and Off the Court
Late-night host Stephen Colbert sat down with NBA superstar Stephen Curry to talk about his leadership in Team USA’s gold-medal victory at the Olympics and his steadfast Christian faith. Curry, who was pivotal in securing the gold for the United States, is well known for wearing his faith proudly, both on the court and on social media.
Colbert opened the conversation by acknowledging Curry’s dominant Olympic performance before steering the discussion toward Curry’s well-documented Christian beliefs. The late-night host, who identifies as a Christian and Catholic, pointed out the scripture reference in Curry’s Instagram bio: Philippians 4:13. This verse from the New Testament reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Source of Strength, Determination, & Purpose
When asked about the significance of the verse, Curry explained its deep personal meaning: “That’s my source of strength and determination and my purpose, really.” Curry, who often writes the verse on his shoes, shared that the message became especially significant during his freshman year at Davidson College. He recounted how his mother, a devout Christian, sent him a text before his first practice with words of encouragement and urged him to choose a verse that would inspire him in times of need. His mother’s verse was Romans 8:28, Curry recalled which reads, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
For Curry, Philippians 4:13 became that guiding verse and truth in the ups and downs of life and stardom. “It’s a great reminder,” he said. “You’re always searching for purpose while you’re here, and for me, that’s it.”
Faith & Humor
The conversation then took a lighthearted turn as Colbert, in his characteristic comedic style, asked Curry whether he believed God “picks winners and games.” Curry, amused by the question, responded with humor, “He might do a couple parlays. You never know,” sparking laughter from the audience. Colbert followed up with a joke about Jesus “covering the spread,” maintaining the casual and entertaining tone of the interview.
Yet, despite the humor, Curry’s faith remained at the heart of the conversation. He emphasized that while God may not be in the business of determining game outcomes, his success on the court has always been an opportunity to point others toward his faith. “If I can lead you to Him through shooting hoops, that’s all right,” Curry noted with a smile.
